Mining machine



Dec. 24, 1929.

c. F. OsGooD MINING MACHINE Original Filled June 6, 1923 1 i www f Patented Dec. 24, 1929 Ul'ii@ STATES PATENT @FFME CHARLES F. OSGOOD, OF GLAREMONT, NEW HAMSEIRE, ASSGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHENERY COMPANY, A CORPORATIN OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHNE Original application filed June 6, 1923, Serial No. 643,617.

My invention relates to mining` machines and more particularly to mining machines ot the flexibly ted type.

An object or my invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object oi' my invention is to provide a mining machine of improved and compact construction especially adapted to use in thin veins oi coal. A further object et my invention is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for mining machines. Other objects and advantages ot my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 643,617, iiled June 6, 1923.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

Fig. 1 is a plan view partially in section oi a mining machine constructed in accordance with the illustrative embodiment oi the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in F ig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the feeding end of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4 4 ot Fig. 1.

in its illustrative embodiment my invention is disclosed in the form of an air propelled flexibly ted mining machine ot the longwall type comprising a frame 1 adapt-V ed to slide along a mine bottom upon its bottom surface 2 and carrying a cutter bar 3 which is pivotally connected to the frame 1 and adapted to be held in different angular positions with respect thereto in a well known manner, the bar preferably occupying a position at right angles to the major dimension ot the iframe 1 during cutting and the frame 1 moving longitudinally along a face with the bar at the rear end'thereoi. The machine is moved during cutting` by feeding mechanism generally designated 4 which will hereafter be more fully described.

The body of the machine comprises a motor section 5, a feed section 6 and a cutter bar carrying section 7, the feed and cutter bar Divided and this application iled June 23,

Serial No. 39,127.

carrying sections being disposed at opposite ends oi the motor section and rigidly connected to the latter.

wWithin the motor section 5 is a fluid pressure actuated motor 8 herein illustrated as comprising a pair oi intermeshing tooth rotors 9 and 10 suitably secured as by keys 11 to shafts 12 and 13 respectively and en closed in bores 14 in the section 5. The shafts l2 and 13 are journaled in heads 15 and 16. Fluid is supplied to the motor through a pipe connection 17 controlled by a throttle valve 18. It is to be understood that the motor described and shown may be replaced by other motors of the pressure fluid or electric type.

The cutting mechanism includes a cutter bit carrying cutter chain 19 supported for circulation about the periphery of the cut ter bar 3 and actuated through suitable drivinO' connections by a worm wheel 20 which is rotated by a worm 21 carried upon and driven by a longitudinally extending sha't't 22 extending between the worm wheel 2O and one side of the machine frame. The shaft 22 carries a gear 23 which is driven by a pinion 24 mounted upon an appropriately `iournaled shaft 25 disposed at the central longitudinal line ot the machine. The shaft carries a gear 26 with which pinions 27 and 23 splined to the extremities of the shafts 12 and 13 and longitudinally slidable along the latter are alternatively connectible to effect rotation ot the gear 26, and so of the pinion 24, in opposite directions. rlhe connection ot the pinions 27 and 28 with gear 26 is controlled by a handle 29 at the forward end oi the machine trame through suitable connections not shown. Cutter bar 3 is rigidly connected to a turntable 30 and is provided with projections 31 and 32 in vwhich a hook may be secured to eifect swinging of the bar. The bar may be locked in adjusted position by a pin carried by the frame section 7. From the description it will be noted that the machine may cut with either side of the trame 1 to the working face.y the cutter chain being adapted to be actuated in opposite directions through the pnions 27 and 2S and the bits 34 with which the cutter bar is provided being reversible in the linlrs of the cutter chain.

Now taking up the feeding mechanism, it will be observed that a shaft 35 is mounted in standards 36 at the rear end of the frame and in a horizontal position midway between the sides of the frame. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 35 is a gear carrying sleeve member 37 having a spur gear 38 arranged at the forward end thereof and having also formed thereon a conical friction surface 39. The shaft 35 at its opposite end is provided with a threaded portion 40 with which a hand rotatable nut 41 cooperat-es. Between the nut 4l and the gear 38 is arranged a double drum structure 42 journaled as at 43 upon a sleeve-like portion 44 of the member 37 and providing a relatively large drum portion 45 and a small drum portion 46 adapted to receive cables as later described. A ball bearing 47 is arranged between the nut and an annular shoulder 48 pon the member 42 and permits the nut 4l to transmit pressure to the member 42 to force a conical friction surface 49 thereon into frictional engagement with the conical friction surface 39 upon the member 37 without tendency to rotate the nut, and the flange 5() also secured to the member 42 permits th-e nut upon opposite rotation to retract the member 42 and break the friction connection between the surfaces 39 and 49. A pinion 5l mounted upon a shaft 52 suitably journaled Vin the section 6 'engages the gear 38 and is adapted to drive the same. The shaft 52 is driven by a worm wheel 53 secured thereto and rotated by a worm 54 rotatable upon a vertical axis and driven by a ratchet wheel 55 and pawl 56. The pawl 56 is carried upon an arm 57 which rocks about the axis of the worm 54 and the pawl carrier is oscillated about its a-Xis of pivotal movement by a rod 58 connected to an eccentric pin 59 carried upon a disk 60 which is rotatable with a worm gear 6l. The latter is also mounted for rotation upon a vertical axis. The rod 58 may be adjusted in lengths by means of a threaded connection 62 between its ends. The eccentric pin 59 may be adjusted radially relative to the axis of the crank dislr 60 to vary the angular movement of the rocker arm 57 and consequently the speed of rotation of the ratchet wheel 55. It is obvious that the ratchet and pawl and eccentric mechanism described permits a wide adjustment in the speed of rotation of the worm 54. A worm 65 is rotatable with a shaft 66 supported in bearings 67 in alinement with the rotor shaft 12 with which shaft the shaft 66 is suitably connected in driven relation.

A cable 68 is wound upon the drum 45 and a cable69 upon the drum 46, the former being used for effecting feed-ing movement of the machine along the face during cutting and being arranged in a single or double strand connection as desired, depending upon the speed of machine movement wanted. rlhe cable 69 is adapted to be used to swing the bar, being provided with a hook or other suitable means not shown for engagement with the projections 3l or 32. To guide the cables suitable guide sheaves or rolls 7 O, 7l,

72 and 7 3 are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the rear end of the machine, the rollers and 72 being adapted to cooperate with the cable 69 without rewinding of the latter when it is desired to extend the cable down along either side of the machine frame to effect swing of the bar and the sheaves 7l and 7 3 being adapted to cooperate with the cable 68 without rewinding of the latter upon its respective drum, dependent upon which side of the machine frame is next the coal. Carried on the rear end of the feed frame are members 7 5 with which a hook 76 upon the extremity of theJ cable 68 may be connected.

ln the operation of the illustrative form of the invention the machine is brought to a position adjacent the face of the coal and, depending upon the direction in which it is desired to cut, with one side or the other of the frame l next to the working face. The cable 69 is then led forward, passing around the shcave 70 er 72, and connected to the member 3l or 32, which is the nearer to the face. Adjustment of the nut 4l causes frictional engagement between the surfaces 39 and 49 and upon fluid supply to the motor 8 the cable 69 maybe drawn in7 swinging the bar about its pivotal axis. The cutter chain is simultaneously driven in the proper direction through one of the pinions 27 or 28 and when the bar has been swung to a right angle position beneath the coal the pin 33 may be used to lock it in the desired position. rlhe rate of bar swing may be controlled by varying the pressure employed in forcing the surfaces 39 and 49 int-o frictional engagement. At the conclusion of this operation the cable 69 may be removed or wound upon the drum 46 and have its extremity suitably attached to prevent unwinding. Cable 68 is then led about the sheave 7l or 73, which is adjacent the face, and around a pulley secured to an anchor jacl: at a point spaced from the front end of the machine frame, and is then brought bach and hooked over one of the members 7 5. The motor is again started and the machine advances along the face of the coal at a slow or cutting speed, the speed being variable by the friction clutch or by adjusting the crank pin 59 toward or away from the center of the dish 60. t is obvious that any other suitable means may be used for varying the throw of the pawl as desired. It will be observed that the construction illustrated provides a very low and compact arrangement of parts, the disposition of the drum upon a longitudinally eX- tending axis permitting the shortening of the machine frame by a substantial amount.

IVhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

TWhat I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters- Pa-tent is:

l. In a mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding` means, and operative driving connections between one end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including` a plurality of worms and a variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

2. In a. mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor, a feed operating member rotatable a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted' to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative connections between one end of said motoi` and feed operating member including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said feed operating member and a variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being` driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

3. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted .to cooperate directlv with flexible feeding means, and oprati've connections between one end of s aid motor and feed operating member including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on a vertical axis and a variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

el. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor havin@` a power shaft, feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving connections between one end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms one of which is coaxial with said mot-or shaft and a variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

5. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor having a power shaft, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving connections between one end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including ay plurality of worms one of which is coaxial with said motor shaft and a. variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism, said feed operating member ro` tating on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said motor shaft.

6. In a mining machine, in combination, a feed operating member rotatable on a hoi-izontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted t-o cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving connections between one end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including worms at opposite sides of said machine and a variable speed transmission mechanism between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

7. In a mining machine, in combination, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving connections between one end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at cutting` speed including worms at opposite sides of said machine, and variable speed power transmitting connections between said worms, one of said worms being driven by said other worm through said transmission mechanism.

S. In a mining machine, iu combination, a motor, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate direct-ly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving` connections bctween said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter a cutting speed including worms at opposite sides of said machine, and ratchet and pawl mechanism between said worms.

9. In a mining machine, in combination7 a motor, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate directly with iiexible feeding meant' and driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including ratchet and pawl mechanism including an oscillating pawl carrier whose plane of oscillation is parallel to the axis of rotation of said fecd operating member.

l0. In a mining machine, in combination,

llO

a motor, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including ratchet and pawl mechanism including an oscillating member whose plane of oscillation is parallel to the axis of rotation of said feed operating member.

11. In a mining machine, in combination., a motor, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable upon a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and operative driving connections between said motor and feed operating` member including` ratchet and pawl mechanism including a member oscillating in a horizontal plane.

12. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor, a feed operating` member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable upon a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and onerative driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including ratchet and pawl mechanism including a member Oscillating in a horizontal plane above the plane of rotation of said feed operating` member.

13. In a mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor having its casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of and lying in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, and operative driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including a plurality of worms through which said feed operating member is driven and a friction clutch between said worm gearino' and said feed operating member.

14. In a mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor having its casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine, a fee-d operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of and lying in the central longitudinal' vertical plane of the machine, and operative driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including` a plurality of worms through which said feed operating member is driven, one of which rotates on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the feed operating member and a friction clutch between said worm gearing and said feed operating member.

15. In a mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor having its casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding mea-ns and rotatable upon a horizontal axis lying midway between the sides of the machine, and operative driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including a plurality of worms arranged respectively at opposite sides of said axis and through which said feed operating member is driven and a friction clutch between said worm gearing and said feed operating member.

16. In a mining machine, in combination, a horizontal motor having its casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable upon a horizontal longitudinally extending axis lying midway between the sides of the machine, and operative driving connections between said motor and feed operating member including a plurality of worms arranged -respectively at opposite sides of said axis and through which said feed operating member is driven and a friction clutch between said worm gearing and said feed operating member.

17. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor, a feed operating member rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and feed operating member for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including worms at opposite sides of said machine, and a variable speed mechanism between said worms.

18. In a mining machine, in combination, a motor, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and rotatable upon a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and feed operating member including a plurality of worms arranged respectively at opposite sides of said axis.

19. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism disposed at one end of said machine frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said machine frame and adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly atthe end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism for transmitting rotation to the latter at a eutting speed including a plurality of worms and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

20. ln a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism disposed at one end of said machine frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said machine frame rotatable on horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine, said feed operating members adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms and cooperating Worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

2l. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism disposed at one end of said frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame and each adapted to cooperate direct-ly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative driving connectic-ns between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating members and worm gears meshing with said worms.

QQ. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting meehanism disposed atone end of said frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame rotatable on horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine, said feed operating members being each adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed Wholly at the end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on an axis parallel to the axes 'of rotation of said feed operating members and worm gears meshing with said worms.

ln a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor and disposed at one end of said machine frame, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame and adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of the motor opposite from said cutting mechanism including a plurality of worms oneof which rotates on a vertical axis and cooperating-worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

211. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor and disposed at one end of said machine frame, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame rotatable on horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine, said feed operating members being adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, and operative con` nections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly atthe end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on a vert-ical axis and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

25. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism disposed at one end of said frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame and each adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding element-s, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of Worms one of which is coaxial with said motor shaft and les cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

26. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a centrally located horizontal motor carried thereby having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism disposed at one end of' said frame and driven by one end of said motor, a plurality of feed operating members disposed at the opposite end of said frame rotatable on horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine, said feed operating members being each adapted to cooperate directly with a separate flexible feeding element, and operative driving connections between the opposite end of said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said motor opposite from said cutting mechanism for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms one of which is coaxial with said motor shaft and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

27. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and driven by said motor including a swingable cutter bar pivoted about a vertical axis at one end of said frame, a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and disposed at the end of said frame remote from said cutter bar pivotand each adapted to cooperate directly with a separate flexible feeding element, and operative driving connections between said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said frame remote from said cutting mechanism for transmitting rotation to said feed operating members at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

Q8. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame carried on the mine bot.- tom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and driven by said motor including a swingable cutter bar pivoted about a vertical axis at one end of said frame, a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and cisposed at the `end of said frame remote from said cutter bar pivot and each adapted to cooperate directly with a separate flexible feeding element, and operative connections between said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly atthe end of said frame remote from said cutting mechanism including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of said feed operating members and worm gears meshing with said worms.

29. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a horizontal' motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and driven by said motor including a swingable cutter bar pivoted about a vertical axis at one end of said frame, a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and disposed at the end of said frame remote from said cutter bar pivot and each adapted to cooperate directly with a separate flexible feeding element, and operat-ive connections between said motor and said feed operating members and disposed wholly at the end of said frame remote from said cutting'mechanism including a plurality of worms one of which rotates on a vertical axis and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

30. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and driven by said motor including a swingable cutter bar pivoted about a vertical axis at one end of said frame, a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal axes and disposed at the end of said frame remote from said cutter bar pivot and each adapted to cooperate directly with a separate flexible feeding element, and operative driving connections between said motor and said operating members for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms one of which is coaxial with the motor axis and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

31. In a mining machine, in combination, a machine frame slidable on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and driven by said motor including a swingable cutter bar pivotally mounted on a vertical axis at one end of said machine frame, a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on horizontal longitudinally extending axes and disposed on the end of said machine frame remote from said cutter bar pivot and each adapted to cooperate directly with separate flexible feeding elements, one of said flexible members cooperating with one of said feed operating members being adapted to swing said bar and the other flexible member being adapted to feed the machine at a cutting speed along the face, and operative driving connections between said motor and said feed operating members for transmitting rotation to the latter at a cutting speed including a plurality of worms and cooperating worm gears through which said feed operating members are driven.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES F. OSGQOD. 

